In a unanimous decision Monday evening, November 12, the Fayston Select Board (BOS) voted to put the parcel formerly occupied by the Fayston Country Store up for sale. The town plans to advertise the parcel at its determined value of $50,000.

The select board heard preliminary questions and discussion from Darrell Mays at the October 8 meeting regarding the possibility of building 'workforce housing' on a one-acre parcel.

Mays expressed preliminary interest in purchasing the land if the town was willing to sell the parcel. The select board then decided to determine the value of the parcel and move forward with selling.

The one-acre parcel was originally acquired by the town in a tax sale, and select board chair Bob Vasseur said, "If the right thing came along, they'd consider it."

Vasseur adds, "We've just sort of held onto it this long because its starts just as you come into Fayston." The town voted to buy the parcel approximately three or four years ago, according to Vasseur.

Mays' previously expressed interest was still in its very early investigation, and any development will need to go through the development review board before any building begins.

Mays is considering a possible 12 units of 'workforce housing' in the form of duplexes on the parcel and may also include the adjacent property, which is currently up for sale.

Since the parcel is currently within a residential zone, it is unclear whether Mays proposed 12 units of workforce housing will fit the parameters. Vassuer said that the rule is generally one home per one acre, but there are ways of grouping units that could apply.

Vasseur said, "I think the only thing you can do is single family homes or duplexes." If Mays follows through with his plans he'll most likely need to propose a Preliminary Residential Development (PRD) to the Fayston Development Review Board (DRB).

The select board also granted Robert Crean an access permit to his property on Slide Brook Road. The Fayston Development Review Board (DRB) is still out over a proposed five-lot subdivision covering 16.5 acres of Slide Brook Road.

The proposed subdivision has faced serious opposition by community members and neighbors and wildlife biologists who cite the negative impact the subdivision may have on critical bear habitat. The DRB is expected to issue a decision regarding the proposed lots any day.